start 1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈstärt How to pronounce start (audio)
Definition of startnext
1
as in to begin
to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to commence
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to activate
to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to jump
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

start

2 of 4

noun

as in beginning
the point at which something begins knew from the start of the game that he would win easily

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

starting

3 of 4

adjective

as in initial

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

starting

4 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of start
1
as in jumping
to move suddenly and sharply (as in surprise) I started from my chair when I heard the sudden scream

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in establishing
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of started the impressionist movement in art

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in activating
to cause to function trying to start the car on a frigid morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in commencing
to come into existence the fight started when one child tripped the other

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point frightened horses with starting eyes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in launching
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) we'll be ready to start the concert in a moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word start different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of start are begin, commence, inaugurate, initiate, and usher in. While all these words mean "to take the first step in a course, process, or operation," start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

the work started slowly

How is begin related to other words for start?

Begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable, with begin, opposed to end, being the most general.

begin a trip
began dancing

How does the word commence relate to other synonyms for start?

Commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start.

commence firing
commenced a conversation

When could inaugurate be used to replace start?

The meanings of inaugurate and start largely overlap; however, inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance.

the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine

In what contexts can initiate take the place of start?

Although the words initiate and start have much in common, initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue.

initiated diplomatic contacts

How are the words usher in and inaugurate related as synonyms of start?

Usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate.

ushered in a period of economic decline

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of start
Verb
Once the call starts, the impersonator attempts to persuade the victim to download malware, often under the guise of resolving a technical issue. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2026 Its that time of year again……when Sports Santa Claus starts to give out gifts to good and bad sports fans. — Joe Kinsey, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2026
Noun
All that makes Houston’s sluggish start almost quaint by comparison. — Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026 In his first career playoff start, Zolak finished 4-for-5 passing with 53 yards and a touchdown. — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
Williams, who missed three games with a foot injury and hasn’t returned to the starting lineup since, is trusted to guard on the ball and gives the second unit a scoring punch with his hot-shooting start. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026 Each four-ounce cookie is $4, or guests can order the starting lineup — one of each of the classic cookies — for $14. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
The two-week timetable means Curry will miss at least six games, starting with a matchup at San Antonio on Friday. — ABC News, 12 Nov. 2026 There's been a ton of CFP talk this week with the expansion to 24 teams becoming official starting next year. — Zach Dean, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for start
Recent Examples of Synonyms for start
  1. begin
  2. commence
  3. establish
  4. activate
  5. jump
  6. protrude
  7. beginning
  8. originate
Verb
  • Flights that already were in the air when the ground stop began were allowed to continue to their destinations, while all other domestic flights were held on the ground.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2026
  • Luggage began piling up at the Southwest Airlines baggage services office as passengers with layovers at the airport appeared increasingly grim.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • The race in shareholder lawsuits against Nvidia has since commenced.
    — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The series will commence filming early 2027 with further casting news coming closer to production.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • This could help establish a circular supply chain in which discarded electronic components become feedstock for new industrial applications.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • At the news conference, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said investigators at his office gathered video evidence, interviewed witnesses and worked closely with prosecutors to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • After the release mechanism activates, the polymer hinges use heat to unfold the solar panels.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
  • About 32 minutes later, the camera was activated again as Derek left the apartment.
    — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of activate
Verb
  • The Bears jumped out to a 9-2 lead as USC was slow getting going offensively and committed three quick turnovers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Meriwether uniquely did not start as a staff writer but jumped right into the seat of showrunner at 29-years-old.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • Wire-thin cables protruding from the implant exit Pancho’s skull through the coin-sized opening.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Once fished to the brink of extinction globally, sand tiger sharks, that iconic aquarium shark with a jaw of protruding, jagged teeth that only a mother could love, have been increasing in the Boston Harbor over the last decade.
    — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of protrude
Noun
  • Except Moe is nice, caring, and talented, while Matt is arrogant, unpleasant, and, at the beginning of the episode, belligerently drunk.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Still, gas prices remain up by more than 30% since the war with Iran started on February 28, and around 40% since the beginning of the year.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of beginning
Verb
  • Even though the modern orchestra originated three centuries ago as a plaything of princes, there has always been an implicit connection — and tension — between orchestras and democracy.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Photographs of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter originated.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of originate

Phrases Containing start

Browse Nearby Words

star-spangled
start
started
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Start.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/start. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of boilerplate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All